NetFlix Users Now Must Chose Plan

Looks like the “Good Old Days” are coming to an end for Netflix users who now must chose a plan, as the company’s deadline for changing its rates hits on Sept. 1.

Back in July a user backlash erupted when the company announced that it would separate DVD and Streaming plans, and start charging $7.99 for each. This replaces their old plan where you get both starting at just $9.99 per month.

The announcement prompted thousands of NetFlix users to hit the Social Media sites, like Facebook and Twitter, threatening to ditch the service. In an informal poll from Business Insider, 41 percent of Netflix subscribers surveyed said that they would cancel their subscriptions. A similar user poll from Geekwire reported that 40 percent of its readers said they would dump the service.

We can’t say for sure if Netflix users are jumping ship yet, but we know that that it faces some more serious competition in the online movie space from Wal-Mart’s Vudu service.

According to analysis from market research firm IHS Screen Digest. The service, which Wal-Mart acquired in February, eclipsed Sony’s PlayStation Store and Amazon in the download-to-own online movie marketplace with its non-subscription service.

As we reported yesterday, Vudu, which had pre-existing agreements with the major studios, is able to to stream movies the day they are released, long before NetFlix.

NetFlix still has a large loyal user base, and really smart management, so I wouldn’t count them out yet. So the question is, if you are a NetFlix Subscriber, will you continue to use the service? Leave us a comment, and let us know your thoughts.